Dilation instrument with navigation and distally located force sensor

A system comprising:

• (a) a dilation catheter, wherein the dilation catheter includes:
• (i) a proximal end,
• (ii) a distal end,
• (iii) a balloon dilator, wherein the balloon dilator is positioned proximal to the distal end, wherein the balloon dilator is configured to inflate from non-dilated configuration to a dilated configuration,
• (iv) a first sensor positioned distal to the dilator and directed toward a first direction distal to the distal end, and
• (v) a second sensor positioned distal to the dilator and directed toward the first direction;
• and
• (b) a guide member, wherein the dilation catheter is configured to slide relative to the guide member, wherein a distal portion of the guide member is sized and configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient;
• and
• (c) a processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine the position of the dilator in three-dimensional spaced based on a position signal from the first sensor, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a force exerted against the dilation catheter based on a force signal from the second sensor.

A method of navigating a medical instrument in a paranasal sinus using a guidance system, the guidance system comprising a navigation sensor, a force sensor, a processor, and a display, the method comprising:

• (a) advancing the medical instrument into a nasal cavity of a patient;
• (b) observing a position feedback indicator on a display to monitor the location of the medical instrument in the nasal cavity of the patient, wherein the position feedback indicator is rendered based on data from the navigation sensor, wherein the position feedback indicator indicates a first direction in which a distal end of the medical instrument is facing;
• (c) observing a force feedback indicator on a display to monitor forces exerted against the medical instrument in the nasal cavity of the patient, wherein the force feedback indicator is rendered based on data from the force sensor, wherein the force feedback indicator indicates a second direction in which the monitored forces are exerted from;
• and
• (d) maneuvering the medical instrument in the nasal cavity in accordance with the observed feedback indicators to thereby position the medical instrument at a target site.